Hello to all my fellow travel lovers and adventure seekers. My name is Jessica, and I’m a travel planner with LBAC Travel, as well as a wife and mom to four amazing kids. When the opportunity came for a solo trip with my oldest son. I knew we could not pass up this opportunity! We all know how precious time can be, I’m so thankful we choose to seize this moment. If you think this trip might be something you’re interested in learning more about, contact me, Jessica Pisacane here!

Follow along as I share some of our highlights from our Mom and Son European Adventure!

Dec 13 2019: We boarded our flight headed to Budapest! Excited for this adventure…and ready to make some amazing memories. This was the start of our journey with Adventures by Disney and Ama Waterways. Sailing the Danube River visiting Germany, Austria and Budapest. Experiencing the magic and wonder of the European Christmas markets.

We enjoyed an overnight flight from NYC , arriving in Budapest ready to start our day. We opted to arrive one day early prior to our adventure to explore Budapest, where we stayed at the Budapest Marriott Hotel.

We spent our day exploring the sites of this amazing city. We saw Hungarian Parliament Building, the Jewish Quarter , Shoes on the Danube Bank, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion , Heroes’ Square, St Stephen’s Basilica, Liberty Bridge. Our evening was spent in the Christmas Market in Vorosmarty Square. Enjoying local delicacies and sipping on mulled wine, while Shopping the Christmas market to find amazing gifts for friends and family.

Day 1: Our Adventure Begins! We meet up with our Adventure Guides and transfer over to our floating home for the week. One of wonderful things I love about river cruising is that you only have to unpack once. But we got to visit 3 countries while onboard The Amalea. We are so Ready to meet our fellow adventures and new friends!

The Illuminations Cruise started the first of “my pinch me moment” of this bucket list trip and the amazement of what was in store for on our week long adventure. You must go up along the ship’s sundeck and take in the beauty of the majestic city of Budapest lit up around you.

Onboard the Amalea, you enjoy personalized attention and get to know all your fellow adventures as the ship only has max 150 guests onboard.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Activities Highlights:

• Visit Budapest Central Market Hall
• Lazar Equestrian Park
• Panoramic Tour of Budapest
• Budapest Walking Food Tour

Aboard the Amalea ship, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. We enjoyed breakfast onboard and then headed out to explore Budapest…we choose the Budapest Walking Food Tour, where we took our taste buds on a fantastic food-filled tour of the many flavors of Budapest, including tastings at the Central Market Hall and other well-known venues.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Activities Highlights:

• Panoramic City Tour of Vienna
• Tour Schönbrunn Palace
• Private Marionette Show
• Strudel-Making at Schönbrunn Palace
• Bike Ride to Klosterneuburg Abbey
• Celebrate at a Traditional Viennese Wine House (Heurige)
• Mozart & Strauss Concert

Vienna is nicknamed ‘the jewel of Austria’, and now we know why! Discovering fascinating details about this grand city that was once home to Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Sigmund Freud and many more.
We ended our city tour when our motor coach brought us to the Historic Schönbrunn Palace, where we enjoyed a privately guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace (translated as “beautiful
spring”).

We were in awe of the rich history and the terraced gardens, including one called The Orangery that is the longest in the world and others that boast a maze and a labyrinth. Inside the Palace, we saw the beautifully furnished rooms of the Imperial Family and the historic underground kitchens. After the private marionette show, we enjoyed a demonstration on how to make a famous regional treat—apple strudel! YUMMY!!!

Afternoon and Evening were spent exploring Vienna on our own!
We headed to the Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, went ice skating and we ended our evening with a visit to a Traditional Wine House (Heurige). We enjoyed this time getting to know our new friends at this family-run
local wine tavern. Snacking on finger foods, cheeses and breads while enjoying the live music and entertainment from a local performer.

MELK, AUSTRIA AND VIENNA, AUSTRIA

• First, we explored the gorgeous Melk Benedictine Abbey on a privately guided tour. Founded in 1089, this holy palace reinvigorated the monastic life of Austria and Southern Germany.
• We then completed a walking tour of Dürnstein with a local expert to to guide our tour of Dürnstein, Which includes the famous ruins of the castle Burgruine Dürnstein. While Learning the history, we took took our hike to the top of the castle ruins to enjoy the incredible views from the castle of the river, vineyards and villages.
• After enjoying shopping in the village we headed back to our ship to enjoy lunch with daytime sailing through Wachau Valley.
• While sailing through The Wachau Valley hearing all about its rich history we enjoyed the views —with its rolling hills, fortresses and lush vineyards.

PASSAU, GERMANY AND LINZ, AUSTRIA
We Fueled up with breakfast on the ship for a full day of adventure!
Our day started by Exploring Passau, Germany. We got to visit the breathtaking St. Stephen’s Cathedral, then visit the Christmas Markets, Salzburg and the Salt Mines. With our Adventure by Disney guides and a local guide we explored the city of Salzburg. Afterward, we headed to the Salt Mines of Hallein, which are among the oldest mines in the world still open to the public. We took a raft through the underground salt mines and got to zoom down a mineshaft slide
We had lunch on their own while still enjoying Salzburg and dinner onboard ship while sailing to our next stop!

After having breakfast on board the ship we took off on a walking tour of Passau, which ended with a Fun Marzipan-making activity. Afterward, we enjoyed the afternoon in the Passau Christmas Market, then we headed over to
Aldersbacher Brewery Tour and Monastery Visit. We enjoyed our last Evening on board our ship with captains farewell dinner- enjoying an authentic German Octoberfest Dinner while sharing our amazing memories with our new friends.

On our ‘farewell day’, our adventure guides boarded the motor coach with us heading to the airport , to see us off as we started our trip back home. Making sure the end of our vacation was as worry and stress free as the entire week. We had an unbelievable amazing week. Experiencing an all-inclusive, hassle free vacation. One of the things I absolutely loved about our European Vacation with Adventures by Disney was with the knowledge and support of Adventures by Disney guides and local guides we felt comfortable to go off exploring on our own. We wanted to get a little “lost”, to stumble upon the local cafes and restaurants that are off the beaten path away from the tourist areas.

A vacation with Adventures by Disney will include:

An All-Inclusive Signature Itinerary Designed for You!

• Authentic Cultural Activities
• Private Sightseeing
• Sophisticated Experiences for All Ages
• Exclusive Insider-Access Opportunities
• English-Speaking Adventure Guides
• Entrance Fees and Taxes Included
• Most Meals Included

If you think this trip might be something you’re interested in learning more about, contact me, Jessica Pisacane here!